Coke oven



May 24, 1966 w. GRUMM 3,252,872

GOKE OVEN Filed Aug. 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR i BY Ware& Gunni 5 ATTOR EYS.

W. GRUMM May 24, 1966 COKE OVEN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1962 No me ooo ooono 0 000O ooo\o OOOOOOOOOOOO INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3 s Claims. 202-141 This invention relates to the Construction of a regenerative by-product coke oven battery of the type comprising horizontally elongated coking chambers exterding transversely of the battery and alternating with heating walls, each of which includes a horizontal row ot" vertical heating flues, and regenerator chambers below the coking chambers and heating walls, which regenerator chambers extend transversely of the battery. The lower ends of the vertical heating fiues in each heating Wall are connected with the upper edges of associated regenerator chambers, and the lower edge ot' each regenerator chamber communicates with a sole channel therebeneath by means of a suitable passage.

Whether the coke oven is the hairpin fine type, the crossover fiue type, or s a two-divided or four-divided oven, a lean gas, rich gas or compound oven, in any event, during certain portions of the oven cycle a given heating fiue will serve as a zone wherein the gaseous combnstibles are being burned, and at other portions or" the cycle such a heating fine will serve as a zone wherein the combusted gases are conducted out of the heating wall into the regenerator. The regenerator chamhers beneath the heating flues serve at times to store heat from the combustion gases and at other times to deliver such stored heat to gases which are to produce combustion, e.g., lean gas and air in a lean gas oven, or air alone in a rich gas oven. introduction of the gaseous media, e.g., air, or lean gas and air, to the regenerators tor preheating is generally ettected by means of horizontal regenerator bottom flues or sole Channels which extend transversely of the battery and underneath the regenerator chambers. Such -sole channels are provided at the end thereof with appropriate reverse-flow valves. Thus, a sole channel during one portion of the oven cycle, will be used for the introduction to the regenerators of gaseous media to be preheated, and at another portion of the cycle, for the collection and removal of combusted gases. To provide for such removal, the sole Channels will communicate via a waste heat valve to a chimney fine.

In coke ovens of the foregoing type there has been a tendency for the gas to dstribute itself unequally in the regenerator chambers which communicate with the sole Channels, so that such gas tends to be unequally distributed in the heating fiues. This tendency toward unequal distribution is due to a number of factors, e.g., variations in the air or gas pressure in the sole Channels along the length thereot` as a result in variatiou of linear velocity of flow in the channel at different points along its length, decrease in width ot the coking chamber from the pusher side to the coke side, greater requirement for heating (and hence for combustible gases) in the end heating flues because of radiation losses, etc.

A definite problem is therefore presented as regards proper distribution and regulation of the gaseous flow. Such gaseous media, e.g., air and burned gas and occasionally lean gas, during the full course of the oven cycle will flow in ascending and descending directions between a sole channel (regenerator bottom fiue) and a vertical regenerator disposed thereabove. If suitable control can be obtaned, the distribution of the gaseous media over the individual heating ues can be regulated to a consiclerable degree. With appropriate regulation, each individual heating flue will be provided with the appropriate amount of combustible gas necessary to obtain a uniform coking of the coal within the coking chamber, such uniform coling being obtained both longitudinally and vertically.

Heretofore, there have been a number of attempts to obtain means for regulating and adjusting such gas flow. For example, grid-lke lattices have been disposed above the sole channel at the inlet openngs of the regenerator. The openings in such grid-like latices have been designed so as to impart appropriate gas fiow rates through the egenerators. In addition, refractory bricks, slidable on such grid lattices, have been provided, whereby during the oven operation the bricks can be slid to the desired position. By virtue of such slidable adjustment, the grid openings can be varied as desired. Other means have included the provision of blocks provided with appropriate openings therein, which blocks have been disposed above the sole Channels. In order to adjust to the desired gas flow rates it has been necessary to move the blocks by means of hooks, which hooks extend inwardly from the end of a given sole channel. Such adjustrnent has proven cunbersome and difiicult, in part due to the limited amount of space available in the sole channel passageway, and in part due to the considerable length of a sole channel, i.e., approximately 23 feet for a two-divided oven, and up to about 48 feet Where the sole channel extends the entire length of the oven chamber.

Accordingly, it is an object oi" this invention to provide means for Conveniently and eifectively regulating the gas flow rate between the sole Channels and the regenerators in a coke oven.

Another object is to provide a suitable gas distributng and regulatng device, which device is simple to manufacture and of much lighter weight than the lattice-grids or perforated bricks used heretofore.

A further object is to provide a gas distributing and regnlating device wherein the openings in such device can be fabricated with greater precision than Was heretofore possible.

Yet another object is to provide a gas distributng and regulating device for a coke oven, which device can be adjusted, removed, and replaced in proper position during the operation of the coke oven.

The above and other objects, characteristics and features of the present invention will be more fnlly understood from the following description taken in connection with the accornpanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a transverse View, partially in section, of a coke oven battery;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the valving employed for introducing gas and air into the coke oven sole Channels;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-section through a regenerator sole channel taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the connection between two plates taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a plan View showing four connected plates containing diterently dimensioned apertures therein.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG 1 illustrates a coke oven battery generally designated by the reference numeral 10. This coke oven battery is of the compound hairpin type utilizing the underjet principle on rich gas operation, although the invention is not necessarily limited to this type of battery and is also applicable to two-divided, "four-divided, and crossover batteries, etc. The battery 10 comprises a supporting deck 12 which ispreferably made of concrete and may or may not form the roof of a conventional basement space 14. Deck 12 provides a support means for the coke oven brickwork which forms an upper section 16 and a lower section 18 which merge into an intermediate horizontal masonry layer 20. The upper section 16 of the battery comprises horizontally elongated coking chambers 22 alternating with heating walls 24. Extending between each two :adjacent heating walls 24 are a plurality of flue division walls 26 which divide the upper section 16 into a plurality of flues 28.

The lower section 18 of the battery constitutes a regenerator for preheating combustion air and lean gas on lean gas operation and combustion air alone on rich gas operation. The regenerator is divided into a plurality of passages 30 by division walls 32. Beneath the regenerator passages 30 and extending between two adjacent heating walls 22 is a sole channel 34. The regenerator passages 30 are in communication with their adjacent sole channel 34. In .order to provide for communication between the regenerator passages 30 and the heating flues 24, passages or openings 36 are provided in masonry layer 20.

With the structure hereinabove, described, combusted gases are withdrawn from the sole channel 34, pass through waste-heat valve 38, and into chimney flue 40, which flue extends throughout the entire length of the battery. During the other half of the oven cycle, combustion air alone or combustion air and lean gas are introduced into the sole Channels 34. This introduction is eected from input chamber 42, on which chamber is located air diaphragm 44. Lean-gas distribution line 46 also communicates with input chamber 42 via conduit 48. A switching valve 50 is provided to regulate the lean gas flow. Rich gas is supplied through conduit 52. Communicating with conduit 52 are distribution conduits 54, each of which extends below a heating wall.

All that has been described hereinbefore is old and well known to those skilled in the art. The present invention rela-tes to a means for controlling the flow of air or lean gas and air from the sole channels into the regenerator passages so that the flow will be substantially uniform or will conform to any determined flow characteristics. In accordance with the invention, a series of individual detachably connected plates are provided. As shown in FIG. 5, four such plates 56, 58, 60 and 62 are provided, although, of course, either a greater o'r lesser number may be employed. Each of these plates is desirably made of sheet metal. Each is provided with circular holes 64, the area of each hole being such as to provide the desired gas flow therethrough. These holes 64 are distributed over the length of a given plate. By appropriate adjustment of the diameter of each such hole to correspond to the desired rate of flow of gas therethrough, desired flow rates are obtained from the sole channels to -the regenerators, and hence through the heating flues.

Intermediate plates 58 and 60 are provided at one end with a hole 66, which hole Will accommodate a rivet or pin 68. At the opposite end of intermediate plates 58 and 60 overlapping and underlapping metal sheets 70 and 72 are secured, e.g., by *Welding -or the like. Each of sheets 70 and 72 is also provided with a hole 66 for accommodating pin 68. As shown in FIG. 3, the overlying sheet 70 extends nearly the entire width of intermediate plates 58 and 60. Underlying sheet 72 is considerably narrower.

Successive plates are readily secured to one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the left end of plate 60 is inserted into the pocket formed by protruding sheets 70 and 72 attached to plate 58 so that the hole 66'at the left end of plate 60 is in registry with the holes 66 of overlapping and underlapping sheets 70 and 72 of plates 58, whereupon pin 68 is inserted, to thereby provide a longitudinally fixed connection.

As shown in FIG. 3, bricks 74 extend from the side walls of the regenerator sole channel 34. These bricks 74 provide a support for the series of connected metal plates, and such series of plates can readily be displaced longitudinally while resting on the ledges 75 provided by the upper surface of bricks 74. Neither the underlying sheet 72 nor the pin 68 interfers with the longitudinal adjustment of the series of connected plates.

End plates 56 and 62 have an end portion which is free of holes 66, which portion permits grasping for manipulation of the entire series of plates and for longitudinal adjustment thereof in the sole channel.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that input chamber 42 projects into master passage 76, which master passage provides space for insertion and removal of the series of metal plates.

Toward the front of the input chamber 42 there is provided a closure 80, which closure can be sealed by means of plate 82. The plate is sealed by means of nut 84 which threadedly engages spindle hook 86. In order to insert a series of sheet metal plates (or to remove such plates), first the sealing plate 82 is loosened by unscrewing nut 84. i Plate 82 is then removed. Assuming that it is desired to insert a series of sheet metal plates, the last such plate (plate 62 as illust'ated in FIG. 5) is inserted through the space of the closure 80. Then the next-tolast sheet metal plate (plate 60 as seen in FIG. 5) is inserted through the space of the magazine and brought into a longitudinally fixed connection, i.e., by inserting the end of plate 62 `between the projecting sheets and 72 of plate 60 and then inserting pin 68 into holes 66. Each additional 'sheet metal plate is now added in similar fashion until ultimately the frontmost plate 56 has been added. This plate is then in the desired position, which position is generally indica-ted by a reference marking in the sole channel, so that the entire series of connected plates is in proper position.

It will be obvious that in order to regulate or adjust the flow between the sole channel and the regenerators,

individual plates in the series can be replaced by substitute plates having holes of different sizes, as desired. By appropriate substitu-tion 'of plates with specified hole sizes theren, one can compensate for changes in Operating time or for heating irregularities or variations in the various heating flues. The openings in each plate are dimensioned -in accordance with the specific region of the regenerator wherein it is contemplated that the particular plate will be employed.

The length of each of the plates is desirably equal to the length of a regenerator chamber or else is equal to either a multiple or a fraction of such length. Of course, in no event can the length of a single plate be greater than the width of the Operating or manuevering space available in the zone wherein the sole chamber projects into the work passage 76. It is in this Operating zone that the series of plates are pushed into the sole channel or else withdrawn from the sole channel.

It will be seen that the simplest manner of inserting the plates is to assernble or collect as many plates as can be conveniently stored within the work passage. The last plate is then inserted through the closure 80, and the next plate is detachably connected thereto as described. These two connected plates are then extended further into the sole channel along the top thereof and the next plate is attached thereto. The series of three connected plates is then pushed further into the sole channel, and this process is continued until the entire series of plates has been assembled and inserted. In order to insure that each plate v in the series falls in the proper place in the sole channel,

an identifying mark is made on the oven, generally near the entrance end of the sole channel, whereby the last plate of the series is disposed in its proper location. This assures that the entire series of plates falls in the proper spacial location so that accurate control and regulation of the gaseous media will occur.

Removal and reinsertion of the plates is facilitated by provision in the input chamber 42 (which chamber seals off the sole channel from the outside and which further serves for the introduction of air or air and lean gas) of an opening which can be closed by a metal cover. Naturally, the dimensions of the metal cover are so selected that the series of metal plates can readily be introduced and removed When the cover is absent. As shown in FIG. 2, when the plate 82 has been removed, the series of plates can be readily introduced.

While the invention has been described with reference to projecting bricks 74 from the sole channel side walls FIG. 3), on the top surface 75 of which the series of plates rests 'and is held, other means of support can be provided to secure the same benefits.

It Will be apparent that it is desirable that each plate in the series be both readily connectible and readily detachable from the plate adjacent thereto. The connection must be such that each plate is held in fixed longitudinal spacial relation with the next plate. Further, the connection should not interfere with the horizontal movement of the series of plates in the sole channel. Thus, the means of connection should not be so designed that there are any projecting parts which would tend to contact the sides of the sole channel. The construction illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, wherein projecting sheets 70 and 72 Secured to one end of a given plate define a pocket into which the end of an adjacent plate can fit, is particularly suitable. The simple eXpedient of a pin inserted between the registered holes provides an excellent longitudinally fixed connection. Since the lower sheet 72 forming the pocket is considerably -narrower than either the npper sheet 70 or the perforated plate, there is no possibility of such lower sheet Contacting the side walls 74 of the sole channel.

Variations can, of course, be made without depart ing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be Secured and hereby claimed by Letters Patent isz 1. In a horizontal coke oven battery, a regenerator having a plurality of horizontally spaced regenerator chambers, a sole channel underlying and communicating with said regenerator passages for distributing gaseous media thereto, a plurality of plates, and means for detachably connectng said plates to one another in endto-end relation, said plates being removably disposed between said sole channel and said regenerator and having a plurality of apertures therein in registry with said regenerator passages to provide communication between said sole channel and said regenerator passages, and means for providing access from outside said battery to said plates for removing said plates from and for disposing said plates in their defined position.

2. In a horizontal coke oven battery, a regenerator having a plurality of horizontally spaced regenerator chambers, a sole channel underlying and communicating with said regenerator passages for distributing gaseous media thereto, a plurality of elougated sheet metal plates, means for detachably connecting said plates to one another in end-to-encl relation, said plates being removably disposed between said sole channel and said regenerator and having a plurality of apertures therein in registry with said regenerator passages to provide communication between said sole channel and said regenerator passages, said plates extending substantially over the entire length of said sole channel, and means for providing access from outside said battery to said plates for removing said plates from and for disposing said plates in their defined position.

3. The battery of claim 2 wherein the length of each of said plates is equal to the length of a single regenerator chamber.

4. The battery of claim 2 wherein the length of each of said plates is equal to a multiple of the length of a single regenerator chamber.

5. The battery of claim 2 wherein the length of each of said plates' is equal to a fraction of the length of a single regenerator chamber.

6. In a horizontal coke oven battery, a regenerator having a plurality of horizontally spaced regenerator chambers, a sole channel underlying and communicating with'said regenerator passages for distributing gaseous media thereto, and a plurality of elongated plates, means for detachab ly connecting said plates to one another in endto-end relation, said means comprising apertures at the end of adjacent plates and a pin adapted to fit into a pair of registered apert-ures of said adjacent plates, said plates being removably disposed between said sole channel and said regenerator and having a plurality of apertures therein in registry with said regenerator passages to provide communication between said sole channel and said regenerator passages, and means for providing access from outside said battery to said plates for removing said plates from and for disposing said plates in their defined position.

7. In a horizontal coke oven battery, a regenerator having a plurality of horizoutally spaced regenerator chambers, a sole channel nnderlying and communicating with said regenerator passages for distributing gaseous media thereto, tand a plurality of elongated plates, means for detachably connecting said plate to one another in end-to-end relation, said means comprising a pair of projecting sheets Secured to the end of a g'iven plate to theretby define a pocket capable of accommodating the end of an adjacent plate, each of said sheets having an aperture therein, said apertures being in registry, an apertu'e at the end of a plate adjacent said given plate, and a pin adapted to fit into said apert-ures, said plates `being removably disposed between said sole channel and said regenerator and having a plurality of apertures therein in registry with said regenerator passages to provide communication between said sole channel and said regenerator passages, and means for providing access from outside said battery to said plates for removing said plates from and for disposing said plates in their defined position.

3. In a horizontal coke oven battery, a regenerator having a' plurality of horizontally spaced regenerator chambers, a sole channel underlying and communicating With said regenerator passages for distributing gaseous media' thereto, an elongated plate, a second elongated plate, means for detachably connecting said first plate to said second plate in end-to-end relation, said plates being removably disposed between said sole channel and said regenerator and having a plurality of apertures therein in registry with said regenerator passages to provide communication between said sole channel and said regenerator passages, and means for providing access from outside said battery to said plates for removing said plates from and for disposing said plates in their defined positon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,933 10/1941 Otto 202-142 l,2 12,866 1/1917 Wilputte 202-444 X FOREIGN PATENTS 699,505 11/1953 Great Britain.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Pr'mary Exam'zer.

DELBERT E. GANTZ, Examiier.

J. S. COVRONEK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A HORIZONTAL COKE OVEN BATTERY, A REGENERATOR HAVING A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED REGENERATOR CHAMBERS, A SOLE CHANNEL UNDERLYING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID REGENRATOR PASSAGES FOR DISTIBUTING GASEOUS MEDIA THEROT, A PLURALITY OF PLATES, AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING SAID PLATES TO ONE ANOTHER IN INETO-END RELATION, SAID PLATES BEING REMOVABLE DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SOLE CHANNEL AND SAID REGENERATOR AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES THEREIN IN REGISTRY WITH SAID REGENERATOR PASSAGES TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID SOLE CHANNEL AND SAID REGENERATOR PASSAGES, AND MEANS FOR PROVIDING ACCERSS FROM OUTSIDE SAID BATTERY TO SAID PLATES FOR REMOVING SAID PLATES FROM AND FOR DISPOSING SAID PLATES IN THEIR DEFINED POSIITON. 